Users of the social media platform X have long enjoyed a high degree of privacy, but that has recently changed. The move by X has caused significant uproar within the crypto community, though there are also positive reactions.
Major Concerns Over Privacy for X Users #
The social platform X has implemented a major change. Nikita Bier, head of product development at X, announced on the platform that user locations are now visible. Specifically, the profile of X users shows where the account was created.
According to Bier, this is an important step in improving X’s integrity. “We plan to provide many more ways for users to verify the authenticity of content they encounter on X,” Bier added.
While Bier emphasizes that this measure improves the platform, many users disagree. Especially within the crypto community, there is significant backlash, with methods being shared to conceal the location.
Crypto Leaders React to New Measure #
Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, stated that he finds X’s new measure problematic. He believes it is unethical to force users to show their location without giving them a choice.
“For some people, even the smallest data leak is risky,” Buterin explained.
However, Buterin admits that it will also have positive effects, especially in the short term. Yet, he thinks that in the long term, users will find ways to fake their locations.
Hayden Adams, the founder of the crypto exchange Uniswap, does not see the benefits. “Thanks, I hate it,” he shared on X. He also called the measure “psychotic.”
Positive Effects of a Visible Location #
Not everyone reacts negatively to the change within X. As Buterin also mentioned, it provides more insight into opinions within different communities. It can also better identify fake accounts.
Investor Nic Carter fully supports X’s decision. With this measure, certain people can be banned from the platform, which Carter says is highly necessary.
“Why should we continue to give scammers direct access to our phones, inboxes, and messages?” said the investor.